I heard that an international student put a selfie taken with a phone on their résumé and never got a call back. The student asked me. "So they hire people based on a photo? Then they're judging looks, aren't they?" Since many countries don't attach photos, it's not strange to think this way. ## It's Not a Face Score, It's "Formality" Korean résumés have had a space for a photo for a long time. Back when paper documents were piled up and reviewed, the photo was a way to remember an applicant and to confirm it was really them. Over time, it became an unwritten rule that the photo, like the documents, should look formal. Neat clothes and a bright background are like saying, "I take this opportunity seriously." That's why a selfie or a travel photo can look like an unfinished document. ## So You Go to a Photo Studio At the photo studio, they adjust the lighting and your pose, and lightly touch up your skin and hair. But if you come out looking like a different person, that would be awkward at the interview, right? So try saying, "Please make it look natural." Prices differ from studio to studio, so it's a good idea to ask when you make a reservation. ## Things Are Changing These Days I hear some companies don't accept photos at all. So first, check whether the job posting requires a photo. If it does, it will put your mind at ease to think of the photo not as showing off your looks, but as a small greeting that shows courtesy.